Remembering Daugherty, doesn’t understand tragedy

Friday

Sep 25, 2009 at 12:01 AMSep 25, 2009 at 11:22 AM

John Daugherty first walked into my bicycle shop in the early '80s. He was like so many others, thinking maybe riding would be a good way for him to exercise. We set him up with one of our more basic models, and sent him on his way with lots of advice on how to get started.

To the Editor:

John Daugherty first walked into my bicycle shop in the early '80s. He was like so many others, thinking maybe riding would be a good way for him to exercise. We set him up with one of our more basic models, and sent him on his way with lots of advice on how to get started.

John turned out to be very different than many of our middle-aged new riders.

After many miles on his "starter" bike, he moved up to a top of the line model. By then, he was racking up serious mileage, and his bicycle was a big part of his lifestyle. He lost weight, and clearly was in much better physical condition than when he started riding.

He was always welcome in our shop, and over the years, my impressions of John didn't change very much. What we noticed back in '82 or '83 was the real John. He was a very laid back, gentle kind of guy who always got along with, and was liked by, all my employees.

It's been a month since John was run over and killed while riding his bike. The morning after it happened, a customer came into the shop, and asked, "Who was the old guy who got killed last night?" I didn't know, and he told me to check the Internet. I jumped onto the computer, and while I was waiting for it to load, I racked my brain, thinking who could it be?

I never thought of it possibly being John Daugherty.

I thought of all the "old guys" I knew who rode while I waited.

You should understand that while John was 77 years old when he was killed, he just didn't seem to be an "old guy."

My heart sank when I read his name. How was that possible? John was, by all accounts, a very careful and respectful rider, and knew what he was doing on the road. How could it be John who lost his life out on the same highway where many bicyclists have ridden for years? John wouldn't have challenged a car, or broken any traffic laws, or ridden in any unpredictable way, endangering himself or others. John rode his bikes tens of thousands of miles, if not more, all over the country.

How could John Daugherty have been run over on his bicycle?

A flat road, unlimited visibility, a big shoulder on the side of the road, a clear day, and most importantly, a road that many bicyclists use often, so regular drivers of this stretch of highway SEE bikes ALL THE TIME.

But not this time. Maybe the guy that ran over John didn't see him. Maybe he wasn't watching the road. Maybe he was texting on his cell phone. Maybe, maybe, maybe.

I, and a lot of other people, are still upset and angry over this tragedy. Nothing will bring John back, just as nothing brought Mark Martin back 4 years ago when he was run over from behind in a similar killing.

I want to see a fitting punishment for the taking of John's life, whatever that might be.

How ironic that John Daugherty was probably one of the most responsible, experienced riders I've ever known.

How ironic that John always wanted to wear bright colors, and always wanted to wear a yellow helmet, so he would be easily seen.

This didn't have to happen, this should not have happened.

I hope law enforcement will use this killing to send a message.

Bill Winters
Oak Ridge Bicycle Center

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